1 day excursion to the Humantay Lake from Cusco.

Humantay Lake is the star of this long day out from Cusco: a striking turquoise lagoon set among the Andes, reached on foot from Challacancha. The hike gives you time to take in the mountain views, then linger by the water before returning the way you came.

I like the clear structure: breakfast breaks up the early drive, and a buffet lunch waits in Mollepata after the hike. I also like that transport, a bilingual guide, walking sticks, and basic emergency supplies are included, so you need not arrange those pieces separately.

The trade-off is the early start and a demanding walking day. Pickup begins between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., and the hike to the lagoon takes about two hours. You also pay the entrance fee separately, so the advertised price is not the full cost.

Key points before you book

• The lagoon is the main event: Walk from Challacancha to Humantay Lake and make time for photos and exploring by the water.
• Plan for a very early start: Hotel pickup near Cusco’s historical center is scheduled between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m.
• The walk takes about two hours uphill: You return to Challacancha by the same route, so expect a substantial day on foot.
• Meals are included: Breakfast is in Mollepata before the hike, with a buffet lunch there after.
• Entry is extra: The stated fee is 10 soles for Peruvian nationals and 20 soles for foreign visitors.
• The day runs long: Expect to return to Cusco at about 6:00 p.m., roughly 14 hours after the excursion begins.

A predawn departure from central Cusco

Pickup is from your hotel near Cusco’s historical center, sometime between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m. The supplier will contact you by WhatsApp one or two days before the excursion to confirm your time. If you are booking at the last minute, check availability with the supplier by email before reserving.

That early departure is not a minor detail. You will spend much of the day outside, first in a vehicle and then walking, so get your clothes and day bag ready the night before. The long schedule also means this is not a good day to plan a late evening activity back in Cusco.

Round-trip transport is included, but no group size or specific vehicle details are provided. Your guide speaks English or Spanish, so check that the language offered suits you when you choose a departure.

Breakfast in Mollepata, then on to Challacancha

The drive heads northwest from Cusco toward Mollepata, where the group stops for breakfast. This is a useful pause before the hike and a chance to eat before you reach the trailhead. Breakfast is included, though the menu and the length of the stop are not specified.

From Mollepata, the vehicle continues to the parking area at Challacancha. This is where the walk begins. The drive means you can focus your energy on the trail and lagoon rather than making your own way between the separate stops, but you should still be ready for a full day of travel and walking.

The two-hour hike to Humantay Lake

From Challacancha, the hike to Humantay Lake takes about two hours. The route is on foot, and the excursion includes walking sticks. You return to Challacancha by the same path, so the return walk adds more time and effort beyond the stated two-hour trip to the lagoon.

The lake’s turquoise color and the Andean mountain views are the reasons to make the climb. Once there, you have time to explore and take photographs, though no exact amount of time at the lagoon is given. I would keep your pace steady and save some energy for the walk back rather than treating the climb as a race.

Bring sturdy hiking shoes, water, sun protection, and a hat. The suggested kit also includes a camera, cash, and goggles. The supplied information does not give trail conditions or a specific elevation, so do not assume the walk will feel easy just because the route is described in hours. If you have a heart condition or are pregnant, this excursion is listed as unsuitable for you.

A horse rental is available for 60 soles, but the details of how the rental works are not specified. Ask the supplier directly if you want to know where horses can be used or what the fee covers. Do not count on this option without confirming those points.

The return to Mollepata and buffet lunch

After time at the lake, you retrace your steps to Challacancha and board the transport back to Mollepata. There, lunch is served buffet-style at a picturesque restaurant. Both meals are included in the $25 price, which helps make the excursion easier to budget than a trip where you must arrange food along the way.

The menu is not specified, so do not book expecting a particular dish or dietary option. If you have dietary needs, ask the provider before the day of the tour. After lunch, the group drives back to Cusco, with arrival expected at about 6:00 p.m.

What the $25 price covers, and what it does not

At $25 per person, the excursion bundles several useful basics: hotel pickup near the historical center, round-trip transport, a bilingual guide, breakfast, buffet lunch, walking sticks, a first aid kit, and oxygen. Having the meals and transport arranged is particularly handy on a day that starts before sunrise and ends in the early evening.

The listed price does not include entry to Humantay Lake. The fee is 10 soles for Peruvian nationals and 20 soles for foreign visitors, payable separately. Horse rental costs 60 soles if you choose it. Travel insurance is also excluded, so factor that into your own plans.

The price is appealing, but compare it with the complete cost rather than the headline figure alone. Add the entry fee, any horse rental, and any other personal expenses. The package’s value depends in part on whether you want a guided day with meals and transport handled, or would rather organize those elements yourself.

What to bring, and what to know in advance

Pack a passport or ID card, hiking shoes, water, sunscreen, a sun hat, a camera, cash, and goggles. Cash is worth having for the separate entrance fee and any optional horse rental. Keep your essentials together, since the day moves between a hotel pickup, meal stops, the trailhead, the lake, and the return journey.

The excursion includes a first aid kit and oxygen. Those provisions are useful to know about, but they do not replace medical advice or make the walk appropriate for everyone. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, or people with heart problems.

Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity, with a full refund. You can also reserve without paying immediately. These terms offer some flexibility, but they do not change the need to check last-minute availability directly with the supplier.

Who should choose this excursion?

This day trip suits you if you want to see Humantay Lake without arranging your own transport, trail access, meals, and guide. It is especially practical if you are staying near Cusco’s historical center and are comfortable with an early pickup, a long day, and a two-hour hike to the lagoon.

It is less suitable if you need an accessible route, have a heart condition, are pregnant, or are looking for a relaxed half-day outing. The return walk and drive make this a full commitment, not a quick stop for a photograph. If your schedule is tight, leave room for the expected return around 6:00 p.m.

Should you book the Humantay Lake day trip?

Book it if the turquoise lagoon is high on your Cusco list and you value having transport, meals, and a bilingual guide arranged for you. The included breakfast and buffet lunch help, and the price is low for a 14-hour excursion, though the separate entry charge should be part of your budget.

Skip it if the early start, long day, or hike does not suit you. Before paying, confirm last-minute availability if relevant, check your pickup time when the supplier contacts you, and ask about the horse rental details if you may need that option.

FAQ

How long is the Humantay Lake excursion?

The excursion lasts about 14 hours. Pickup is between 4:00 and 5:00 a.m., with arrival back in Cusco expected at approximately 6:00 p.m.

How long is the hike to Humantay Lake?

The hike from Challacancha to the lagoon takes about two hours. You return to Challacancha along the same route.

What meals are included?

Breakfast in Mollepata and a buffet lunch at a restaurant there are included.

Is the entrance fee included in the $25 price?

No. The fee is 10 soles for Peruvian nationals and 20 soles for foreign visitors.

What languages does the guide speak?

Guides are available in English and Spanish.

Is horse rental available?

Yes. Horse rental is listed at 60 soles, but you should ask the supplier what the fee covers.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or ID card, sun hat, camera, hiking shoes, sunscreen, water, cash, and goggles.